From the archives of the Dodge County Independent

50 years ago
March 21, 1973
Folmer Carlsen, Publisher
Klaus Alberts, Sr. was presented his 50-year Masonic pin at a ceremony held at the Hubbell House last Tuesday evening. Mr. Alberts became a member of Mantorville Lodge No. 11 on March 13, 1923. The presentation of the pin was made by Ron Alberts, grandson of Mr. Alberts, and also a member of the Mantorville Lodge. John Rud, Master of Mantorville Lodge No. 11, served as master of ceremonies and Chuck Boughton, district representative, also participated in the ceremony. Pictured above from left to right are Masons representing three generations of the Alberts family: Don Alberts, Bob Burdick, Klaus Alberts, Jr., Wilford Burgess, Klaus Alberts, Sr., John Rud, Ron Alberts, Ralph Churchill, Jr., Orvis Alberts, Dr. Douglas Burgess, and James Jensen. Approximately 100 area Masons and wives attended the dinner.
30 years ago
March 17, 1993
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
Legion to celebrate 74th birthday
Kasson American Legion Post No. 333 will celebrate Saturday, March 20 in the afternoon with a birthday cake. The clubrooms open at 1 p.m. All legionnaires are welcomed. The men who founded the American Legion following World War I had a vision of an organization providing assistance to fellow veterans, their widows and children. In the past 74 years Legionnaires have met that need and expanded programs touching millions of Americans each year. The American Legion was responsible for the creation of the GI Bill of Rights, used today by millions of veterans seeking assistance for education and housing. From the earliest days the American Legion saw the need to educate the youth of the nation in the American way of life. Through a myriad of Legion programs our nation’s young people know of civic pride and patriotism. An important element in the philosophy of the American Legion has always been caring for those in need. Legionnaires donate millions of hours to volunteer service in veterans and community hospitals, thousands of pints of blood to local hospitals and blood centers, and millions of dollars in educational assistance. This is just a small part of the American Legion’s contribution to this nation. As the American Legion celebrates its 74th birthday, the more than 3 million members of the American Legion are looking to the future with a renewed sense of pride and caring for their fellow citizens of the United States of America.
20 years ago
March 19, 2003
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
St. John’s FoodShelf transferring to SEMCAC
At the end of March the St. John’s Food Shelf will be transferred to the SEMCAC office in Dodge Center. The food shelf was started by church secretary Lorraine Spading and has grown every year since then. Marlene Malerich retired at the end of February and has been a devoted food shelf volunteer at the church. In December alone she volunteer 100 hours running the food shelf, picking up and delivering food. Marlene said she still plans to deliver food and do pick-up and even volunteer at the SEMCAC office. The Mission and Outreach Commission at St. John’s has re-evaluated the program and decided it would be in their best interest to combine with SEMCAC. The St. John’s Food Shelf is a non-denominational service for people in need of food. St. John’s will continue to be a food shelf collection site under the direction of the Mission & Outreach Commission and will encourage residents to continue to support SEMCAC in Dodge Center. SEMCAC can be a one-stop place to serve families in need and they have a great deal more of storage space. This way there will be no duplication of services and there is going to be more flexibility for people in need and for those making donations. SEMCAC is open three-and-one-half days a week. The building in located at the old elementary school in Dodge Center. Families have been contacted about the move. Marlene Malerich said it is now a matter of making the transition to Dodge Center by the end of the month. “We want people to continue giving because there is a great need,” said Marlene. The month of March is Food Share Month and all donations made to SEMCAC are matched by Minnesota corporations.
10 years ago
March 20, 2013
Randy Carlsen, Publisher
By ordinance, hens may receive conjugal visits every two weeks
At their meeting March 11, 2013, the Mantorville City Council members agreed to send the draft animal ordinance on to the city attorney for review and then to schedule a public hearing April 8th for residents to comment on the proposed ordinance. For several years, residents have asked that they be allowed to keep chickens in the city limits. The sitting council decided to address the issue and revised the animal ordinance to allow city property owners to have more dogs than they previously could and to have up to six hens. Even pot-bellied pigs were discussed and will be regulated as domestic vs. non-domestic animals. Pigeons? Turkeys, ducks, geese? They were all discussed. Roosters? Not on a full time basis, but a chicken-owner may bring in a rooster for 48 hours every two weeks for, ‘breeding purposes’ said one council member, “Mood music is optional.” In other business, the council appointed Arlene Wallin to the Park Board. The council approved spending up to $1,200 on new vandal-resistant security cameras and a new digital video recorder for use in city parks. Vandalism in the park shelter has cost the city more than this amount in the past few summers. The council approved the March 30 Easter Egg Hunt in the park. City Clerk/Treasurer Cami Reber said she had received the usual complaints about sidewalks not being shoveled, dogs barking and parking tickets received by drivers who parked on the street when the snow ordinance was in effect.